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"The face of the operation is Briatore (referred to exclusively in the film by his colleagues and angry, chanting detractors as "Flavio"), an anthropomorphic radish who spends most of his time at QPR plotting to fire all of the managers."

At press time, Harbaugh had sent Michigan’s athletic department an envelope containing a heavily annotated seating chart, a list of the 63,000 seat views he had found unsatisfactory, and a glowing 70-page report on section 25, row 12, seat 9, which he claimed is “exactly what the great sport of football is all about.”

The Michigan coaches were all over the country today checking in with commits and targets but when the dust settled only one new offer was extended, the recipient being linebacker Tyriq Thompson. The in-state product already held multiple B1G offers including Michigan State, the school most people think could provide the most competition for Michigan to reel in Thompson. In a very mature, politically-correct tone, he had a response for that thought. “I think people must’ve forgotten about Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Pitt and NC State.”

Without being able to see him I’m certain he said it with a grin. Despite his rebuttal, one would think that the chance to play at Michigan carries a little more weight for Thompson. A legacy, his father, Clarence, playing defensive back for the Wolverines in the early 90’s.

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Greg Mattison was the coach assigned to visiting Thompson at Detroit King yesterday, and he and Tyriq were able to have the first of likely many in-depth conversations, ultimately leading to the offer. “I’m feeling pretty good about it. I got on the phone with Coach Mattison after he left and he let me know that they really like what I can do on the field and that they want me to come and play linebacker at Michigan.” Tallying 142 tackles as a junior generally pleases a defensive coordinator looking to recruit you. Mattison specifically offered Thompson at the WILL position.

Thompson was able to tackle everything moving during his junior campaign and I asked him about what made him able to rack up such gaudy numbers. “My coaches do a great job with our defense and they put me in a position and expected me to make plays and that’s what I did.” He wasn’t certain but he thought he might’ve tackled more people than anyone in the state of Michigan. “It just might have been the top in the state, I’m not sure. The way I see it though is that I can only get better and I think I can get even more next season.”

As previously mentioned Thompson has a unique connection to Michigan being the son of a former player. I asked him how his dad was feeling after the offer came through and if it would factor into his decision. “I think he’s just proud. He basically just congratulated me. As for him playing there affecting me, not at all. He’s even told me that it’s totally my decision to make and to make the best move for ME.”

With the unique opportunity to look at this from the perspective of a former player, who happens to be the father of an offered prospect, I reached out to Clarence Thompson to get his thoughts. “I think it’s great that he has the opportunity to continue the legacy. Tyriq knows that I’m Maize and Blue through and through, but ultimately he has to make a decision that’s best for him for the following four years.” I also took the opportunity to ask Clarence what stuck with him as a former student-athlete at Michigan that he would promote to any recruit, his son included. “First and foremost the tradition and respect that comes along with being a Michigan football player. The family atmosphere and supportive community is unmatched.” Clarence was proud about where his loyalties lie, but wanted me to stress the fact that Tyriq’s final decision will be his and his alone. You’ve got to respect the informed, fatherly support.

It was very clear that Tyriq and his father have a strong relationship and Clarence has done a good job instilling priorities in his son as evidenced by the factors that will lead to his commitment. “Number one will definitely be education. After that playing time, the bond with the coaches, and the potential to win championships fall in.” Thompson admitted that it will take some time to figure all of those things out. “I can’t really put a timeline on when I’ll commit. I just know I’ll commit when I’m 100% sure about where I want to spend the next four years of my life. As far as my announcement goes I’m not really caught up in the whole, big announcement thing with the hats and stuff.”

Finally, what exactly did Tyriq have to say about that strong relationship with his dad? “Yeah, he’s where I get my cool from.”, followed son-ishly by a laugh.

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That last sentence included, there’s a lot to like about Tyriq. He’s a legacy offer which means he understands what it takes to succeed at Michigan. He’s a tackling machine. He’s an in-state kid and gets the passion involved in Michigan’s big games. He has a good head on his shoulders, and fits The Profile(tm) for the kids Coach Hoke recruits. You’d have to think Michigan is in really good shape with him and you know dad is going to be in his ear, but Michigan State offered a long time ago and that always means something to recruits. I picked Michigan for my Crystal Ball prediction with Sparty being the most likely alternative.

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I watched the kids film and I see above his list of offers...good size, good mobility. Only a three star? I'm sure its cuz its early in the process for 2015 recruits, but that doesn't add up to me. Unless its a comment on the level of competition he's played?

Sounds like a great kid. Dad did a fantastic job. That alone is testimony to the Michigan difference.

"the Spirit of Michigan...is based on a deathless loyalty to Michigan and all her ways....and a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours" - Fielding Yost

Surprising to me that UM was so late to offer a legacy who is apparently a very good kid and a baller on the field. I know we have limited schollies in '15 but c'mon Hoke, you got to grab any legacy that fits this profile, just like we did with Runyon.

Surprising to me that UM was so late to offer a legacy who is apparently a very good kid and a baller on the field. I know we have limited schollies in '15 but c'mon Hoke, you got to grab any legacy that fits this profile, just like we did with Runyon.

Morgan was an in-state 3-star-ish who burst onto the scene late and was offered in October 2010 by Rich Rod's staff. He committed that December when it appeared for all the world like Rich Rod was going to be fired. All Hoke's staff did was keep him. In this case I wouldn't even give credit to Rodriguez's staff. Credit is due to Desmond himself, a lifelong Michigan fan who kept a 4.0 GPA in high school, and a pair of great coaches at his high school: Jim Caserta, his head coach who played for Don Nehlan, and Cory Zegunis, who was the D.C. at West Ottawa when Morgan was there and succeeded Caserta right after Morgan graduated.

If you want to lump things into a categories of where Michigan got its talent from, file Desmond Morgan next do David Harris under things we got from the underrated, underrecruited, well-coached, and surprisingly deep talent pool in the Grand Rapids area, and pray that the all-time master of winning with GR kids being the head coach at Notre Dame doesn't do any more damage to this little secret well of Michigan's.

I'm sure that I will get negged to death for this, but how do people like you (recruiting reporters) get in touch with these recruits initially? Does a family member/friend give out cell numbers? Along those same lines, how do sites like Rivals, Scout, MGoBlog, etc. find out who offers, especially so soon after it occurs? Do these young men/women personally reach out to sites, or does Michigan do it? Please note that I am NOT using this comment to put you down at all. I am legitimately curious as to how this process works. It's been something that I've wondered for a while. So I'm just asking that people please not think that I'm a massive jerk for asking. Apologies in advance! Thank you!

Son of a former defensive starter - and a good one too. And what's better than a good linebacker prospect? One who is also very smart. A 30 on the ACT and 4.3 GPA say this kid has the potential to be a good LB for Michigan. I really hope he goes blue.

"You owe it to every man, woman, and child in the State of Michigan to beat the Buckeyes and silence their fans! Now go out there and make it happen!"